Antisplash device

ABSTRACT

This disclosure relates to an antisplash device for use with a portable dishwasher. The device has a cylindrical member to receive a direct spray from a dishwasher discharge in a sink and a dispersion means to flow water along the sink bottom in an even flowing stream so as to prevent splashing of water during discharge thereof under high velocity from the dishwasher.

O United States Patent [1113503345 [72] Inventor J p .1. erwys [56] References Cited 941 Ellsmere, N. E., Grand Rapids, Mich. n- STATES PATENTS 49505 [2 U App]. NQ 792,671 3,142,314 7/1964 Dawson 138/37 X [22] Filed Jan. 21. 1969 Primary Examiner-Dorsey Newton [45] Patented Sept. 7, 1971 Attorney-Price, l-leneveld, Huizenga 8: Cooper [54] ANTIS PLASH DEVICE 5 Claims3 Drawing Figs ABSTRACT: This disclosure relates to an antisplash device [52] US. Cl 137/582 for use with a portable dishwasher. The device has a cylindri- [51] E034: 1/18 cal member to receive a direct spray from a dishwasher [50] Field of Search 138/37; discharge in a sink and a dispersion means to flow water along the sink bottom in an even flowing stream so as to prevent splashing of water during discharge thereof under high velocity from the dishwasher.

ANTISPLASH DEVICE This invention relates to a splash-preventing means particularly adapted for portable dishwashers. In one of its aspects, it relates to a portable dishwasher having an antisplash device for the discharge of water from the dishwasher into a sink. In

another of its aspects the invention relates to a splash-prevent ing device for use with dishwashers and the like.

Portable dishwashers are an item used in many homes. The dishwashers are wheeled near a sink and connected to a faucet for use. A faucet coupler is generally used for coupling the dishwasher discharge hose from the washer and for coupling the dishwasher water supply hose to the faucet. When the water is being discharged from the machine, it is directed downwardly into the sink with a great velocity, resulting in a great deal of splashing. Water splashes out of the sink onto the floor and onto the counters surrounding the sink.

I have now discovered a device to be used with portable dishwashers to collect the high velocity discharge water from the dishwasher and to disperse the same in an even flow adjacent the bottom of the sink.

By various aspects of this invention, one or more of the following, or other, objects can be obtained.

It is an object of this invention to provide a portable dishwasher which discharges into a sink wherein means are provided to prevent splashing of water from the discharge into and around the sink area.

It is another object of this invention to provide a splashpreventing device for use with portable dishwashers and the like to avoid splashing from high velocity streams into a sink or other such basins.

Other aspects, objects, and the several advantages of this invention are apparent to one skilled in the art from a study of this disclosure, the drawings, and the appended claims.

According to the invention, there is provided an antisplash means for use in preventing splashing from a water source into a receptacle such as a sink. The antisplash means comprises a vertical collector cylinder for gathering water discharged from a high velocity water source and a dispersion dome fixed at the bottom of the collector cylinder to flow water entering the collector cylinder laterally out of the bottom of the collector cylinder in a smooth, even stream of water.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a portable dishwasher is provided having a water supply hose adapted to be connected to the outlet of the faucet and a drain hose adapted to discharge water from the dishwasher into a sink. An antisplash means is provided in the sink beneath the discharge end of the faucet, the antisplash means having a collector cylinder for gathering water discharged from the drain hose and a dispersion means for flowing the water received in the collector tube in a thin, even-flowing stream along the bottom of the sink.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

PK]. 1 is a perspective view of the invention in combination with a portable dishwasher;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the device shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the device illustrated in H08. 1 and 2.

Referring now to the drawings, a portable dishwasher 12 having a drain hose M and a water supply hose 16 is connected to a faucet 18 through a faucet coupler 20. The faucet coupler empties water from the drain hose 14 into sink 22 and passes water from the faucet to water supply hose 16. An antisplash device 24 is positioned beneath the faucet coupling to prevent splashing of the water out of the sink. A drain 26 is provided to empty the water in the sink and passing through the antisplash device 24.

The antisplash device 24 comprises a cylindrical member 28 having slots 30 extending downwardly from the top edge thereof. A water stream 32 is collected by the cylindrical member and caused to flow laterally out through the bottom of the cylindrical member 28. The antisplash device 24 has a frustoconically shaped dome 34 with a top portion 36 which extends above the bottom of cylinder 28. .The sides of the dome 34 extend downwardly and outwardly, terminating beneath the bottom edge of cylindrical member 28, thereby forming an opening between a base portion 38 and the bottom of cylindrical member 28. Raised edges 40 of the base portion 38 extend upwardly at selected portions and join the bottom of cylindrical member 28 so that the dome 34 is rigidly coupled to the cylindrical member 28. A plurality of these raised edges 40. can be provided. Preferably, recessed raised edges 40 are welded to, or integrally formed with, the bottom of cylindrical member 28. Alternately, portions of the cylindrical member 28 can extend downwardly to join the base por-' tion 38. I

In operation, the antisplash device is: positioned beneath the faucet coupler 20 so as to receive the full discharge spray from the dishwasher. When the dishwasher empties, the water stream 32 flows downwardly out of the coupling 20 at a very high rate. Without the antisplash device 24, considerable splashing of water out of the sink takes place. With the use of the antisplash device, the water stream 32 is collected within the cylindrical member 28 and is caused to flow laterally along the base of the sink through openings 44. The water stream 32 initially strikes the top portion 36 of the dome 34. The dome shape directs the splashing water toward the sides of the cylindrical member 28. The resulting splashing is collected by the sidewalls of the cylindrical member 28 and caused to flow downwardly and out through openings 44. During normal operation of the device, a water level 42 is established above the top portion 36 of the dome 34. This permits a more even flow of water along the bottom of the sink through the openings 44 and slows down the flow of water between the stream 32 and the sink bottom.

In the event that the flow of water into the cylindrical member 28 is too great for the openings 44 to keep pace with, the water level will build up and begin to flow out through the downwardly extending slots 30. Splashing out of the device is still prevented since the sidewalls of the cylindrical member extend above the slots 30. The slots, therefore, serve as an auxiliary drain in the event of a very rapid flow into the cylindrical member 28.

In using the device, the faucet coupler 20 will be spaced at least a short distance above the top of the cylindrical member 28 so as to prevent back siphoning in the event of a clogged sink drain. In other words, if the sink drain should become clogged and water were to build up in the antisplash device, the water would still be able to drain out of the slots 30 without being drawn back through the faucet coupler 20 when the rinse cycle begins. Even if the faucet coupler in a smaller sink does extend down into the cylindrical member 28, the slots 30 will still prevent back siphoning.

The cylinder is engineered so that it is large enough in diameter to collect most of the individual high velocity drops separating from the main stream. The large diameter also provides a reservoir that greatly helps to reduce the stream velocity when the dishwasher is draining at its maximum rate. As an example, a cylindrical diameter of 2 1% to 3 inches is sufficient for most portable dishwashers. A suitable height for the cylindrical member is about 5 inches with a slot length of about 1 inch.

The contour of the dome is designed to convert at least a portion of the high velocity stream entering the cylindrical portion to a coherent flattened stream extending in all directions along the bottom of the sink. Greater frictional forces occur between the thin streams and the sink bottom than would occur with a high velocity stream directly imping ing on the sink bottom. The-greater frictional forces dissipate the energy of the water and permit the sink to be drained without overflow and splashing.

The height of the dome above the opening 44 prevents any splattering that might occur from the contact of the high velocity stream with the top of the dome prior to the creation of any head within the cylindrical member 28. A suitable height for the dome is about 1% inch. The vdome shape deflects splatters toward the sides of the cylinder instead of vertically as would be the case if the dome were flat. The size of the drain ports at the bottom of the cylinder is large enough so that any particle of food thatcan gravel through thedrain hose and fittings can also pass through the ports. At the same time, the ports are small enough so that the small head of liquid will be established in the cylinder when the dishwasher is discharging at its maximum rate. A suitable drain opening is in the range of one-fourth to one-half inch.

The simplicity of the antisplash device permits the same to be easily manufactured such as by injection molding in a onestep operation. Thus, the device is not only efficient but is also quite economically manufactured.

Reasonable variation and modification are possible within the scope of the foregoing disclosure, the drawings, and the appended claims without departing from he spirit of the invention.

The embodiments of an invention in which an exclusive properly or privilege is claimed are defined as follows.

1. In combination with a portable dishwasher having a water supply hose adapted to be connected to the outlet of a faucet, and a drain hose adapted to discharge water from the dishwasher into a sink; and antisplash means to be used in said sink beneath the discharge end of said faucet, said antisplash means having a collector cylinder for gathering water discharged from said drain hose, and a dispersion means for flowing water received in said collector cylinder in a thin, even-flowing stream along the bottom of said sink.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said dispersion means comprises a dome having an upper central portion extending above the lower end of said collector cylinder, and sloping downwardly and outwardly forming a laterally, outwardly extending lip beneath and spaced from the bottom of said collector cylinder to cause flow of said water within said collector cylinder in a lateral direction along the bottom of said sink.

3. The invention of claim 1 further comprising vertical slots in the top of said collector cylinder extending downwardly from a top portion thereof.

4. The invention of claim 2 wherein said outwardly extending lip extends substantially completely around the bottom 0 said collector cylinder.

5. The invention of claim 2 wherein portions of the bottom of said dome are raised to join the bottom of said collector cylinder. 

1. In combination with a portable dishwasher having a water supply hose adapted to be connected to the outlet of a faucet, and a drain hose adapted to discharge water from the dishwasher into a sink; and antisplash means to be used in said sink beneath the discharge end of said faucet, said antisplash means having a collector cylinder for gathering water discharged from said drain hose, and a dispersion means for flowing water received in said collector cylinder in a thin, even-flowing stream along the bottom of said sink.
 2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said dispersion means comprises a dome having an upper central portion extending above the lower end of said collector cylinder, and sloping downwardly and outwardly forming a laterally, outwardly extending lip beneath and spaced from the bottom of said collector cylinder to cause flow of said water within said collector cylinder in a lateral direction along the bottom of said sink.
 3. The invention of claim 1 further comprising vertical slots in the top of said collector cylinder extending downwardly from a top portion thereof.
 4. The invention of claim 2 wherein said outwardly extending lip extends substantially completely around the bottom of said collector cylinder.
 5. The invention of claim 2 wherein portions of the bottom of said dome are raised to join the bottom of said collector cylinder. 